The difference between a formal and a vernacular region is that

The difference between a formal and a vernacular region is that one of them is defined by same or similar characteristics, usually physical, while the other is defined as a set of cultural identification.

The formal region represents a region in which all of the people in it share one or more distinctive characteristics.

The vernacular region represents a region in which the people living in it collectively consider themselves as interconnected by sharing mutual identity, culture, history...

answer; the nazca plate is converging with the south american plate

the roman republic began to expand when rome fought the punic wars and defeated carthage. the punic wars refer to the series of 3 wars fought among rome and carthage, before it ended in carthage's defeat.